JACKSON Guitars Guide: Fender Metal Models (Dinky, Soloist, Juggernaut, Monarkh, Rhoads…).
History of Jackson Guitars
Jackson is a manufacturer of electric guitars and basses, originally founded by Grover Jackson in the early 1980s. However, in 2002, the brand was acquired by the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation.
The Jackson brand has a very close relationship with guitar manufacturer Charvel, as Grover Jackson was a partner of Wayne Charvel of Charvel Guitars before founding his own company.
But after Grover developed the Rhoads V-style model for guitarist Randy Rhoads, Grover decided to found Jackson Guitar Company on his own.
If Jackson and Charvel were ever closely connected, today they are even more so. Since both brands belong to the Fender Corporation, they even share components and the same name in some ranges, such as the Dinky and San Dimas models.
Both Jackson and Charvel develop guitar models that are very popular among hard rock and heavy metal guitarists. Charvel specialises more in Superstrat models, while Jackson specialises in heavy metal models, often with an aggressive look provided by their pointed shapes, especially the sharp design of the headstock.
In terms of manufacturing ranges, Fender develops high-end Jackson models at its facilities in Corona, California, and all other lines are developed in Asian countries such as China and Indonesia.
Jackson Guitars Series
Jackson San Dimas
In this video, we will review the most notable Jackson models according to body shape.
As with the Charvel brand page, in this page we’ll also review the most notable models based on their body shapes. So, we’ll start with the Superstrat-style guitars manufactured by Jackson in the San Dimas shape, such as the signature model of Iron Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith, for a very affordable price of less than $680.
This model features a basswood body with a quilted maple top, Jackson pickups, and a Floyd Rose Special. You can’t ask for much more at this price, but if you want to save a little more, you can get the same model without the padded maple top (Jackson Adrian Smith SDX) for $600.
In the San Dimas range that is not Made in USA, we do not have much else, except for the Gus G. signature model. Although this guitar goes up to 1330 dollars, due to its maple wood neck through a mahogany body.
Dinky Range
With a more streamlined and compact body shape, we have the modern-style Dinky and Soloist models, which are indeed very extensive series.
In this line, the most economical range is the JS 11, as in the model shown in the image with a poplar body for around $200, ideal as a battle guitar or for beginners. The same goes for the JS 12 model with a basswood body for around $210, and with a mixed fingerboard radius of 12 and 16 inches.
This is a characteristic feature of Jackson and Charvel Superstrat models, as virtually all of them have fingerboards with a 12-inch radius closer to the headstock and a 16-inch radius closer to the body. This provides a more optimized radius for each area of the fingerboard.
We move on to the Jackson JS22 Dinky with a arched top for just over $220.
Essentially the same as the previous model but with a fixed bridge and quilted maple top, we have the Jackson JS32Q for around $350. For the same price, we have the JS32 without a maple top, but with a Floyd Rose-style bridge.
But if you want both upgrades, we have the Jackson JS32Q DKA Dinky AH for around $400, with a quilted maple top and Floyd Rose-style bridge.
With Jackson active pickups and a fixed bridge, we have the DK2X HT Dinky for about $550, and in a passive HSS pickup configuration. And with a Floyd Rose Special bridge, we have the Jackson DK3XR for about $600.
Soloist Range
We raise the bar with the Jackson Soloist SLX DX Camo, which features a neck-thru design, active Jackson pickups, and a Floyd Rose Special tremolo bridge for a price of around $950.
Also featuring a neck-thru design and pickups designed by Seymour Duncan, but with a humbucker in the bridge position and two Hot Rails, we have the Jackson SL3XM DX Soloist for around $900.
With a similar pickup style, but this time from Jackson, we have the Jackson Soloist SL3X DX with a crackle finish and maple neck through the body, for around $850.
We move on to the Dinky models, which cost around a thousand dollars, such as the Jackson SL2P MAH Pro Soloist, with a mahogany body and poplar burl top, ebony fingerboard, and a neck through the body. It also features a Floyd Rose 1000 Series and Seymour Duncan pickups.
Specifically, a Seymour Duncan Distortion TB-6 pickup in the bridge position and a Seymour Duncan Distortion SH-6N pickup in the neck position. After reviewing the features of this guitar, its price of around $1200 is more than justified.
With similar features but a slightly higher price tag, we have the Jackson Pro Dinky DK2 with an ash body, bolt-on neck, and a Seymour Duncan JB TB-4 guitar for the bridge, along with a Seymour Duncan 59 SH-1N for the neck.
Jackson Juggernaut
Okay. The prices of these series can rise exponentially, especially when it comes to models manufactured in the US. So we will leave these series in these price ranges and move on to the Juggernaut design with an Ibanez-style body shape, such as the Jackson Pro Misha Mansoor Juggernaut HT6QM.
This guitar features a fixed bridge on a basswood body with a quilted maple top, Jackson pickups, and a push-pull pickup splitter, for around $1260.
Misha Mansoor’s signature models also include the Jackson Misha Mansoor Juggernaut ET6 with an EverTune F6 self-tuning bridge. However, this model can cost more than $1500.
Jackson Serie Monarkh
Les Paul-shaped models include Monarkh models such as the Jackson JS22 SC Monarkh AH with a nato body and bolt-on maple neck, priced at around $400.
With a mahogany body, set-in neck, and ebony fingerboard, we have the Jackson SC Pro Monarkh with Seymour Duncan JB SH-4 pickups in the bridge and a Seymour Duncan 59 SH-1N in the neck.
Jackson Marty Friedman Guitars
With a design similar to the previous one, we find the MF-1 shape in guitarist Marty Friedman’s signature models, such as the Jackson Marty Friedman MF-1 X Series with a mahogany body and neck and passive EMG MF pickups. Marty Friedman’s most iconic guitar priced at around $840.
Explorer Style Jackson Guitars
Fury Series
We continue with Gibson-style shapes, but this time in the Explorer style. In this design style, we have several shapes, such as the Jackson Demmelition Fury, with a classic Explorer style, for around 800 euros.
This model features a maple neck through its mahogany body, a Floyd Rose Special tremolo bridge, and active EMG 60 pickup at the neck and EMG 81 at the bridge.
Kelly Shape
With a similar style, we have the Kelly shape, like the Jackson Kelly JS32T with a fixed bridge, and the Jackson Kelly JS32 with a Floyd Rose-style bridge for 450 dollars, as more basic models.
With neck through and Floyd Rose Special, we have the Jackson X-Series Kelly KEX for around $840.
In the Pro Series, we have the Jackson Pro Jeff Loomis Kelly with a basswood body with a sandblasted maple top, ebony fingerboard, neck through, Floyd Rose 1500 Series, and Jeff Loomis custom Seymour Duncan pickups, for around $1680.
Gus G. Signature Models
Gus G’s signature models feature a very similar design, such as the Jackson JS32T Gus G. with a bolt-on poplar body and Jackson pickups for around $500.
Warrior Shape
Finally, within this category, we have the Warrior shape. As detailed in previous models, the most affordable series is the JS32T with a bolt-on neck and fixed bridge for around $450. And for a little more, we have the Jackson Warrior JS32 with a Floyd Rose-licensed Jackson tremolo.
With a basswood body, neck thru and Floyd Rose Special, we have the Jackson Warrior WRX24 for around $750.
Flying V Style Jackson Guitars
In Flying V style, we have the Gibson-style King V shape but with more sharper peaks.
This range follows standard patterns, such as the King V JS32T with a fixed bridge and bolt-on neck for around $410, and for $40 more, we have the JS32 with a Floyd Rose-licensed Jackson bridge.
With active EMG 81 and 85 pickups, Floyd Rose Special, and a Neck-Thru, we have the Jackson KVXMG King V for around $840.
Scott Ian’s signature model from Anthrax features a pickguard that gives the guitar a different aesthetic, and is priced at around $850.
And with an ebony fingerboard, Floyd Rose 1000 series, and Seymour Duncan Distortion TB-6 and SH-6N pickups, we have the Jackson Pro KV King V for just over $1050.
Jackson Guitars Randy Rhoads RR
With a very similar shape, but with asymmetrical peaks resembling a shark’s fin, we have the Rhoads series in homage to guitarist Randy Rhoads. One of the most iconic and recognized series, and as you can imagine, the basic model is the Jackson JS32T Rhoads with a bolt-on neck for around $420. And the Jackson JS32 Rhoads for around $50 more, with a Floyd Rose-licensed Jackson bridge.
The Jackson RRX24 features an extended neck, active Seymour Duncan pickups, and Floyd Rose Special for around $850. The Jackson Pro Rhoads RRT-3 with a mahogany body, ebony fingerboard, and Seymour Duncan SH6 pickup costs around $1100.
If you want a Floyd Rose 1000 series, there is the Jackson Pro Rhoads RR24Q with a quilted maple top and Seymour Duncan Distortion TB-6 and SH-6N pickups for around $1100.
Mark Morton Signature Models
With a very particular shape, we have the Mark Morton signature models with Dominion shape like the Jackson Mark Morton Dominion DX2FM with Neck Thru, mahogany body with flamed maple top, and DiMarzio Mark Morton pickups, for around 1100 dollars.
Jackson 7 and 8 String Guitars
Also noteworthy are 7-string models like the Jackson JS32-7 Dinky for less than $500 with a fixed bridge. Or the Jackson Chris Broderick ProCAB FR7 with a neck through body, DiMarzio Chris Broderick CB7 pickups and Floyd Rose Special, for around $1200.
We can also opt for 8-string guitars such as the Jackson JS32-8 Dinky, which is the most affordable model, priced at $500. Or the Jackson Soloist Archtop Slat 8 with fanned frets, for $1050.
The Jackson brand offers a wide catalog of guitars, from affordable models for beginners to high-end guitars for the most demanding professionals, with all kinds of intermediate grades, making it easy to find the perfect model that fits your budget or level of demand.